BLAST Premier World Final is just days away and we have eight of the best teams in the world heading to Singapore for the biggest event in the BLAST calendar.
However, being the best teams in the world isn't easy, and there are plenty of conversations surrounding these teams as we enter the event.
To answer some of those questions, we spoke to Danish mastermind Pimp to get his thoughts on each team as they head into what could be their last tournament of the year.
Vitality will be playing without mezii at World Final, how much do you think that affects their chances of retaining their crown?
It’s never an advantage heading to a tournament without your starting roster. Considering timing of the season and where Vitality is at, it couldn’t be worse. They’ve failed to win anything since IEM Cologne, and even getting to the finals itself has been a struggle.
Playing with JACKZ isn't all bad. We’ve a seen before that he is more than capable of standing in for Vitality. Perhaps an underdog style is all they need to re-find some confidence heading into the Major. That being said, World FInal won’t be easy for Vitality.
ultimate has struggled in his last couple of events, do you think that’s a case of players figuring out his playstyle and that he now needs to adapt in order to succeed?
I think it’s a bit of both for ultimate. He got off to a very hot start, and his potential is undeniable.
However, as an AWP in modern day and age CS, you have to be versatile. Perhaps his main moves has been figured out, and perhaps his confidence has taken a hit. I tend to believe it’s a bit of both in his case.
I wouldn’t worry to much for ultimate yet, but naturally we have to see him deliver again ASAP.
NAVI have been speaking about burnout and their performances have dipped slightly. Despite this they’re still going far in events and picking up trophies, can they hang on for World Final and the Major or do you expect to see a bigger dip?
I think NAVI is a bit victim of their own success. While a lot of their main rivals failed X,Y,Z tournament and thus got more time off, they kept making the finals.
After IEM Rio they’ve had a well deserved break, and I think that’s been enough to regroup and recharge.
NAVI is the best team in the world right now, and I don’t see that changing for now.
Astralis haven’t had the greatest of starts to their time with cadiaN, what are your long-term expectations for the team?
It’s very hard to quantify what Astralis could look like in the future. In terms of raw player material they should be doing fine, but seemingly there’s always something.
Introducing cadiaN to their team was a gamble, but a gamble I think will be worth it over time. They needed a proper IGL, now the question is if he can find a decent level with the rifle, while his main shooters in device, stavn, and jabbi can regain form.
It’s more about those three than about cadiaN in my book.
FaZe haven’t won a trophy since Chengdu but are starting to look more like their old selves, do you consider them to be a title contender or is there still a gap between them and the top teams?
I’ll say it very briefly and sharply: FaZe has been underperforming for quite some time.
They put the bar incredibly high for themselves with their start to CS2. Maybe they’re a victim of their own success, maybe we expect to much. One thing is certain, unless FaZe start making deep play-off runs I think roster changes are on the horizon.
Spirit have been off the boil for a while when facing elite teams, what do you think their problem is?
In all honesty I don’t know, it does feel like their team chemistry has let them down, regardless of how donk is performing. A reaction is needed ASAP in the Spirit camp.
G2 have won a trophy, finished deep at other events, and also bombed out of an event - is this a roster you think can be consistently successful with its leadership or does its success depend more on the unsustainable nature of having stars consistently pop off?
I think the latter is the case, and has been the case for G2 for years and years. If you look in their history they’ve rarely won coming into a tournament as a favorite.
When you expect the most of G2 they more often than not fail. When expectations are slightly lower they seem to thrive. G2 has always been a puzzle to me, but undeniably one of the most entertaining teams to watch!
MOUZ came second in Rio, do you think we are starting to see them become a team capable of winning an arena event?
The jury is still out for MOUZ. I think it’s hard to place them right now. Rio turned out great for them, but even during Rio there were concerns. Seemingly trending upwards again, which should be a great sign for the Major coming up, but if they’re ready to win titles again? I'm not quite sure.
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